Bessie Mae Griffin

On Sunday, January 15, 2023, God called our beloved Mother, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, and Cousin Bessie Mae Griffin, home to rest in the garden with her Lord and Savior. Bessie M. Griffin was born December 11, 1935, to the late mother, Candis Gary-Johnson and father, Herman Washington. She was a native of Weldon, North Carolina and resided in Portsmouth and Chesapeake, Virginia many years. She was a dedicated employee at Hagwood’s Cleaners and Crocket-Levy Furniture store. She was a beloved and faithful member of Little Grove Baptist Church, Suffolk, Virginia. She served as Church Mother, Sunday School Teacher, Noonday Prayer Band Ministry, Women’s Fellowship, and Couples Ministry. She loved her church family dearly and was very passionate about her walk with the Lord. Bessie mentored many daughters and sons in Third Baptist and Little Grove Baptist Church. She never met a stranger without being a witness for Christ. We believe she was the only one skillful in cooking the best cabbage and crab cakes with hot water cornbread. Bessie was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Earl Louiston Griffin, son-Brian Griffin, Parents Candis Gary-Johnson and Herman Washington. She leaves to cherish her memory: two sons, Linwood (Beverly) Lewis – Richmond, Virginia; Minister Glenwood (Lenora) Griffin Sr., Bourbonnais, Illinois; One Sister, Bettyann Stateman - Chesapeake, Virginia. Five grandchildren, Mrs. Kia (Deontrey) Taylor, Atlanta, Georgia; Mrs. Patria (Jay) Crockett, Manassas, Virginia; Mr. Glenwood (Shantel) Griffin Jr., Bradley, Illinois; Mr. Maurice Griffin, Los Angeles, California; and Captain Alex Griffin, El Paso, Texas. Five great-grandchildren, Scooby Taylor, Perion Taylor, Sydney Crockett, Langston James Griffin, and Emmanuel Jordan Griffin. Bessie two Sister-In-Laws, Brenda Massenburg, Portsmouth, Virginia and Renea (Troy) Cox of Chesapeake, Virginia. Special cousin, Betty Florence Holly, New York; Alma Williams, Hannah Malbourah, Portsmouth, Va., Mother Carrie Baptist, Kankakee, Illinois. Her godchildren; Diane Williams and siblings, Carol and daughter, Charity Bowman, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of family and friends.

Bessie Mae Griffin

December 11, 1935 - January 15, 2023